Polarizers for use with liquid crystal displays

Abstract

A liquid crystal display structure includes a liquid crystal display cell having a front surface and a back surface. One or more intrinsic polarizers lacking protective coatings thereon, such as K-type polarizers and thin KE polarizer sheets, are disposed adjacent to the front and back surfaces of the liquid crystal display cell. Alternatively, thinly cladded or encased iodine polarizers are disposed adjacent to the front and back surfaces of the liquid crystal display cell. The liquid crystal display structure may be used in conjunction with other optical display elements to enhance the brightness and contrast of the liquid crystal display.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. A liquid crystal display structure comprising: 
       a liquid crystal display cell having a front surface and a back surface; and  
       a front intrinsic polarizer disposed adjacent to the front surface of the liquid crystal display cell, the front intrinsic polarizer lacking a protective coating thereon and providing a moisture vapor transmission rate of less than about 4.6 gm/m 2 /day and an oxygen transmission rate of less than about 0.005 ml/m 2 /day to the liquid crystal display structure.  
     
     
       2. The liquid crystal display structure of  claim 1 , further comprising 
       a back intrinsic polarizer disposed adjacent to the back surface of the liquid crystal display cell, the back intrinsic polarizer lacking a protective coating thereon.  
     
     
       3. The liquid crystal display structure of  claim 1 , wherein the front intrinsic polarizer is a K-type polarizer. 
     
     
       4. The liquid crystal display structure of  claim 1 , wherein the front intrinsic polarizer comprises a KE polarizer sheet. 
     
     
       5. The liquid crystal display structure of  claim 1 , wherein the front intrinsic polarizer has a first surface disposed adjacent to the front surface of the liquid crystal display cell, the liquid crystal display structure further comprising 
       an adhesive layer disposed on the first surface of the front intrinsic polarizer to attach the intrinsic polarizer to the liquid crystal display cell.  
     
     
       6. The liquid crystal display structure of  claim 5 , wherein the adhesive layer comprises a pressure sensitive adhesive. 
     
     
       7. The liquid crystal display structure of  claim 6 , wherein the adhesive layer comprises a diffuse adhesive. 
     
     
       8. The liquid crystal display structure of  claim 1 , further comprising a removable release liner disposed adjacent to the front intrinsic polarizer. 
     
     
       9. The liquid crystal display structure of  claim 1 , further comprising a polyethylene terephthalate support layer disposed adjacent to the front intrinsic polarizer. 
     
     
       10. The liquid crystal display structure of  claim 1 , further comprising a transflective coating disposed adjacent to the back intrinsic polarizer. 
     
     
       11. The liquid crystal display structure of  claim 2 , further comprising a retarder disposed adjacent to the front intrinsic polarizer. 
     
     
       12. The liquid crystal display structure of  claim 2 , further comprising a liquid crystal polymer coating disposed adjacent to the front intrinsic polarizer. 
     
     
       13. The liquid crystal display structure of  claim 1 , further comprising a transflector disposed adjacent to the back intrinsic polarizer. 
     
     
       14. The liquid crystal display structure of  claim 13 , wherein the transflector comprises a layer of metal. 
     
     
       15. The liquid crystal display structure of  claim 13 , wherein the transflector comprises a tilted mirror film. 
     
     
       16. The liquid crystal display structure of  claim 13 , wherein the transflector comprises a holographic element. 
     
     
       17. The liquid crystal display structure of  claim 2 , wherein the back intrinsic polarizer has a first surface disposed adjacent to the back surface of the liquid crystal display cell and a second surface, the liquid crystal display structure further comprising 
       a microreplicated structure formed on the second surface of the back intrinsic polarizer.  
     
     
       18. The liquid crystal display structure of  claim 2 , further comprising a reflective diffuse polarizer film adjacent to the back intrinsic polarizer. 
     
     
       19. A liquid crystal display structure comprising: 
       a liquid crystal display cell having a front surface;  
       an intrinsic polarizer having a first surface disposed adjacent to the front surface of the liquid crystal display cell and a second surface, the intrinsic polarizer lacking a protective coating thereon and providing a moisture vapor transmission rate of less than about 4.6 gm/m 2 /day and an oxygen transmission rate of less than about 0.005 ml/m 2 /day to the liquid crystal display structure; and  
       a conductor disposed adjacent to the second surface of the intrinsic polarizer.  
     
     
       20. The liquid crystal display structure of  claim 19 , wherein the intrinsic polarizer is a K-type polarizer. 
     
     
       21. A liquid crystal display structure comprising: 
       a liquid crystal display cell having a front surface and a back surface;  
       a front K-type polarizer disposed adjacent to the front surface of the liquid crystal display cell, the front K-type polarizer lacking a protective coating thereon and providing a moisture vapor transmission rate of less than about 4.6 gm/m 2 /day and an oxygen transmission rate of less than about 0.005 ml/m 2 /day to the liquid crystal display structure; and  
       a back K-type polarizer disposed adjacent to the back surface of the liquid crystal display cell, the back K-type polarizer lacking a protective coating thereon.  
     
     
       22. An optical system comprising: 
       a liquid crystal display structure providing a moisture vapor transmission rate of less than about 4.6 gm/m 2 /day and an oxygen transmission rate of less than about 0.005 ml/m 2 /day, the liquid crystal display structure comprising a liquid crystal display cell having a front surface and a back surface and a front intrinsic polarizer disposed adjacent to the front surface of the liquid crystal display cell, the front intrinsic polarizer lacking a protective coating thereon.  
     
     
       23. The optical system of  claim 22  wherein the liquid crystal display structure further comprises a back intrinsic polarizer disposed adjacent to the back surface of the liquid crystal display cell, the back intrinsic polarizer lacking a protective coating thereon.